Cosmetic Dentistry

Today’s article is for anyone who has a broken dental crown. First off, you REALLY need to have it replaced. That said, you may be wondering which variety of dentists should replace it.

We advise that you contact the dentist who placed the crown. If you have moved or don’t remember where you got it, we invite you to consider Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry.

Why an urgent care dentist instead of a cosmetic dentist?

Urgent care dentists treat dental emergencies. But a dental emergency rarely requires only one procedure. Most necessitate a cosmetic restoration once the initial problem is addressed. For example, a knocked-out tooth, a broken tooth, a chipped tooth, and most root canals all require restoration as the final step.

Don’t swallow it! Carefully take it out of your mouth. If you accidentally swallow it, you will have some extra problems we won’t discuss in this article.

Call Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry. We will schedule you an appointment ASAP and counsel you on whether you should use temporary cement to re-attach the crown. Your tooth is weakened, so abstain from substances that are chewy, sticky, or crunchy.

The dental professionals at Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry have been replacing crowns since 1986. If you have a broken crown, give us a call.

Location (Tap to open in Google Maps):

No. Tooth implants have been placed in millions of men and women. Some studies have revealed a success rate as high as 98%.

Dental implants have been perfected and tested

If you don’t follow the dental industry, you may not be aware that dental implants have been used since the 1960s. According to the American Academy of Implant Dentistry, 3 million Americans have received implants.

The American Academy of Implant Dentistry (AAID) is the first professional organization in the world dedicated to the advancement of implant dentistry. As part of its commitment to top quality patient care, research, education and excellence, the AAID created a program to credential professionals in implant dentistry.

When do you think the American Academy of Implant Dentistry was established?

1974

1998

1951

The answer is 1951. Surprised?

Dental implants have been studied since the 1970’s

On the National Institutes of Health (NIH) website, you can read analysis about tooth implants from the 1970s. Complete with images of old school film X-rays.

What are dental implants?

A dental implant is a titanium post that serves as a tough substitute for the root of a missing tooth. Modern teeth implants are very versatile in restorative dentistry. They can anchor a replacement tooth, a set of replacement teeth (dentures), or a dental bridge.

In case you are unfamiliar with tooth implants, first let’s describe what they are.

A permanent dental implant is a permanent replacement tooth root. It is anchored into the jaw and eventually meshes with the jawbone. This provides a durable, sturdy base for a porcelain crown or denture.

What are the benefits of tooth implants?

Implants:

Are sturdy and unmovable

Blend perfectly with your natural teeth

Help you speak and eat normally

Prevent bone loss that can occur when a tooth is extracted

Prevent the dilemmas connected to dentures

Dental implant success rates

Now let’s discuss success rates.

Have you heard that dental implants have a high failure rate? This is simply not true. At Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry, our success rate for tooth implants is nearly 100%.

If properly cared for, a tooth implant can last for the rest of your life.

What is patient-focused care?

A check-up with no cavities? A dazzling smile? A dental crown that looks as natural as the surrounding teeth?

It could mean all those things and many more.

For a child, dental success could be defined as a childhood free of cavities. Learning proper oral hygiene. Plus gaining an understanding of why it’s important.

What about a local La Mesa adolescent who is hesitant to smile because of crooked teeth? The solution is a successful course of orthodontic treatment. The result is a beautiful smile that boosts self-assurance.

What about the La Mesa man who suffered dental trauma in an accident? Patient-focused care could be dental implants that restore oral health and tooth function.

For a woman with tetracycline stains but otherwise healthy teeth, patient-centered care may be as simple as quick in-office same-day tooth whitening.

Consider someone with several missing teeth who can only eat soft foods. Patient-focused care could mean natural-looking implant-anchored dentures that allow the patient to eat steak for the first time in years.

We serve your specific dental needs

What are your goals for your smile? What is the current state of your oral health? Schedule a consultation with Jeff Gray.

What is a composite filling?

Composite fillings are fabricated with a mixture of glass or quartz and resin which results in a natural tooth-colored material. They are extremely durable when bonded to the tooth with adhesive.

What is an amalgam filling?

Amalgam fillings are also called “silver fillings” though they aren’t 100% silver. Dental amalgam is about 50% mercury with some silver, tin, and copper. Mercury creates a durable compound with the other metals. This type of filling has been used to fill cavities in teeth since 1895.

Some people claim that mercury fillings are linked to chronic disease. In fact, some dentists (known as “holistic” or “mercury-free”) have founded practices around replacing amalgam fillings with composite fillings. However, many respected medical and scientific associations have long indicated that amalgam fillings are safe. This includes the American Dental Association, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Mayo Clinic, and the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

This is from the International Journal of Dentistry:

1) Mercury released from dental amalgam restorations does not contribute to systemic disease or systemic toxicological effects

2) Allergic reactions to mercury from dental amalgam restorations have been demonstrated, but these are extremely rare

3) Available scientific data do not justify the discontinuation of dental amalgam use from clinical practice or the replacement with other single-tooth restorative dental materials

Do you have a youngster with amalgam fillings and are concerned about safety? Schedule a consultation with Dr, Gray to discuss your worries.

Is a composite filling the same as a white filling?

Yes, informally. The term “white filling” has become a descriptive term. Composite fillings are made to match perfectly with the patient’s tooth color. Compared to amalgam fillings–which don’t match the color of teeth–they are whitish, white with a slight yellow tint, or white with a slight gray tint depending on the color of the tooth.

What’s the difference between composite fillings and amalgam fillings?

As discussed previously, these fillings are fabricated using different materials. Composite fillings have the characteristic of blending seamlessly with the tooth. In some settings–such as a large cavity in a molar–an amalgam filling may be considered. Keep in mind that a composite filling has proved to be a solid restoration.

Are amalgam fillings still used?

Despite the popularity of tooth-colored fillings, some San Diego dentists still find amalgam fillings most appropriate for some situations. Unfortunately, some dental insurance providers and state Medicaid plans don’t cover composite fillings.

CEREC Crowns are High Quality

A CEREC crown is shaped with CAD/CAM scanning technology which is just as accurate as a traditional impression. (Some dentists believe a CEREC crown is even more precise than a crown developed from a traditional impression.)

CEREC crowns:

Are indistinguishable from your remaining teeth

Function like a conventional crown

Don’t require a messy impression

Don’t require a temporary crown that may come loose or fall off—leaving your damaged tooth in danger of further injury

Can last ten years or longer

Are performed in one dental visit

Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry offers CEREC same-day crowns. This is one way we ease the trauma when you have a dental emergency. Save our phone number to your contacts. In the unfortunate event that you experience a dental emergency, call us ASAP. If someone else is driving, call us on your way to our office. We have extended hours to serve you.

What’s the difference between a tooth implant and a crown? The relationship between a dental implant and a crown can be confusing. They can be combined in one procedure. And both can be used with other dental restorations.

Removing tooth decay weakens the tooth. Once the decay is removed, a filling may not be enough to restore the necessary strength. Likewise, after a root canal procedure, the remaining tooth may need strengthening. A crown may be used in both of these scenarios. A strong, natural-looking crown protects the remaining tooth and functions like a natural tooth

3. A crown can be attached to a dental bridge.

When a tooth has been extracted, a dental bridge may be used to restore part of it. The reason we say ‘part’ is because a dental bridge does not restore the root of the tooth. A crown can be used with a dental bridge to restore the visible part of the missing tooth. A dental bridge used to replace one tooth requires the removal of tooth structure from adjacent teeth. With a bridge, it warrants three crowns to replace one missing tooth!

Do you think there can be dilemmas with this type of restoration? You are correct. A dental implant makes much more sense for most patients. Talk to Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry for more details about why this is true.

What comes to mind when you hear the term “healthy living?” A dinner plate with a grilled chicken breast and steamed vegetables? The sound of your feet rhythmically hitting the ground on your favorite jogging pathway? A cholesterol test indicating that your arteries are looking good? If you picture a white, healthy smile or a dental X-ray showing no tooth decay, we salute you.

At Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry, we urge everyone with a smile (that includes you!) to include oral health in your definition of “healthy living.”

When done right and consistently, brushing and flossing are a crucial component of everyday oral hygiene. Brushing should be done at least twice a day. We recommend a soft-bristled toothbrush to guard your gums. Brush your teeth in small, circular motions for 2-3 minutes and make sure you reach all the surfaces.

Flossing should be done once a day and is required for reaching the areas where a toothbrush cannot. A wide variety of floss can be found at La Mesa stores, so experiment until you find one you like.

I’m Dr, Jeff Gray of Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry. As a healthcare provider, I am passionate about helping each of my patients reap the benefits of oral health and avoid tooth woes that can compromise their all-around health.

Stage 4: Ouch! The Decay Hits the Pulp

Hopefully, your son or daughter will never experience stage 4. This is very painful. The infection has reached the pulp where the nerves are located. Unfortunately, a root canal is the only treatment option. Unless, of course, the tooth is extracted.

Remember, childhood cavities are completely preventable.

Can Stage 4 be reversed? No…and it must be treated with a root canal.

Stage 5: Abscess Distress

The decay (and infection) has traveled through the pulp and out the end. In the final stage, it drills through the tip. Now the infection is in the tissue and bone surrounding the tooth root. The area swells up and it’s exceptionally painful.

It’s also dangerous for anyone’s health. This is a serious infection that can spread to other parts of the body. Abscesses originating in a tooth can be fatal.

Can Stage 5 be reversed? No…and it’s life-threatening.

Protect your child from decay so they can have a healthy smile for life.

A home tooth whitening kit is certainly a cheap tooth whitening option. Meet with Dr. Jeff Gray and we’ll work the math with you. How many kits would it take to achieve the same results as same-day teeth whitening?

Keep in mind that there’s more to a great smile than just whiter teeth. Here are key parts of a spectacular smile: Smooth, consistent color Straight, uniform positioning Proportional tooth size Gum appearance Lack of chips and cracks

Would you like to improve one of these characteristics?

Get clear, accurate information about veneers, teeth whitening, clear braces, tooth implants, crowns, and fillings. If you want to know how much dental work will cost, just ask the experts at Jeff Gray DDS – Sedation & Cosmetic Dentistry! We have financing options.

Though our office is located in La Mesa, we serve patients from San Diego as well as Santee, Alpine, and El Cajon.

Get In Touch

Patients from all over California and the United States come to award winning La Mesa dentistry at Jeff Gray DDS for exceptional cosmetic dentistry, dental implants, Invisalign braces, sedation dentistry and so much more. San Diego dentists Dr. Jeff Gray and Dr. Greg Hurtado practice in La Mesa and serve the greater San Diego area including Chula Vista, Santee, Lakeside, and zip codes 92020, 91942, 92019, and 91941.